Break Free from Perfectionism (2)

Daily Devotions

April 11, 2013

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” Ro 12:6 NIV

One Christian writer says: “When my friend had her first child she applied all her career talents to making a smooth transition into motherhood. She kept a rigid schedule, napped her son on time, planned time for grocery shopping, and always managed to have a nice dinner prepared by the time her husband got home. She kept up this façade till she could handle the stress no longer. Finally, she cracked. She left the house a mess, forgot to shower, never went to the grocery store, and when her husband came home she handed him the dirty baby…and declared the house a dinner-free zone! What did her husband do? He fell to his knees in an exaggerated ‘Hallelujah!’ then spun his long-lost wife into a magnificent hug. ‘You’re back!’ he declared…Her gifts, apart from being a great wife, mom and businesswoman, are her sense of humor, her sass, her fun, and her authenticity…all the things her husband missed when her personality went on a postpartum hiatus.” If you’re “trying to become perfect by your own human effort” (Gal 3:3 NLT), it’s not going to happen! “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” When you strive to be somebody other than the person God intended, you end up feeling angry, inadequate and frustrated. God purposely gifted us all in different areas. Once you realize that, you can start to minister from your particular area of giftedness. Remember, every one of us is a work-in-progress, so cut yourself some slack. Instead of trying to become perfect, begin to thank God for making you one-of-a-kind.